Dust cap for tire valves



E. H. PARKER DUST CAP FOR TIRE VALVES Filed April l,

Dec. 18 1923.

. m/Q nor, Edward H, Pawier, @y MSM-mm Uw 'SQ Patented Dec. i8, i923.

y tracts retenir clasica.

EDWARD H. PARKER, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR., BY DIRECTANI) MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 PUSHPULL VALVE CAP COMPANY, 0F BOSTON, MASSA-CHUSETTS, A CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

DUST CAP FOR TIRE VALVES.

Application led April 1,

To u?! lwhom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDWARD H. PARKER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Somerville, county of Middlesex, State of lilassachusetts,have invented an Improvement in Dust Caps for Tire Valves, of which thefollowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is aspecification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to dust caps such as are used on valve stems ofpneumatic tires, and it has for its object to provide a novel dust capwhich is constructed so that it can be applied to the valve stem simplyby slipping it over the latter and can be locked to the valve stem byapplyingto the dust cap pressure in the direction of its` length andwithout giving the dust cap any turning movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction bywhich the dust cap can be removed from the valve stem by applying apulling strain thereto in the direction of the length of the valve stemand without turning the dust cap.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel constructionby which the dust cap not only performs the ordinary function of a dustcap, but in addition erorms the function of the check nut whicIh isusually employed on the valve stem for holding the latter in place.

My improved dust cap is provided at its r inner end with aninteriorly-screw-threaded portion to engage the screw-threads of thevalve stem, and such screw-threaded portion is made capable of expansionor contraction in aradial direction. When the dust cap is removed fromthe valve stem, this screw-threaded portion is in its expandedcondition, and when in this condition` such screw-threaded po-rtion islarge enough to permit the dust cap to be slipped over the threadedvalve stem. When the dust. cap is in proper position, the screwthreadedportion thereoil is contracted radially thereby to cause itsscrew-threads to engage lirmly the screw-threads of the valve stem, andthis contracting is accomplished by merely applying endwise pressure tothe dust cap.

The dust cap is provided with means for locking the screw-threadedportion thereof 1920. Serial N0. 370,523.

in its contracted position after it has been apphed to .the valve stemsuch lock becom lng operatiye automatically when the dus' cag 1s apphed.

he construction is such that when end- Wise pulling strain is applied tothe dust cap for the purpose of removing it, the lock will first bereleased thereby allowing the screw` threaded portion to expand and thusbecome disengaged from the screw-threads of the valve stem, and whenthis occurs, the dust ca va ve stem. In order to give an understandingof my invention, I have illustrated in the drawings a selectedembodiment thereof which will now be described, after which the novelfeatures will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, iFig. l is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of adust cap embodying my invention showing the dust cap open in conditionto be inserted over the valve stem;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the dust cap with the screw-threadedportion thereof contracted onto the valve stem, the valve stem beingshown in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3, Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is an end View of the dust cap;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5--5, Fig. 2.

My improved dust cap comprises a cylindrical member l which is adaptedto t over the valve stem 2 indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 2, and theinner end of which is expansible and contractible in a radial directionand is provided with interior screwthreads to engage the screw-threadsof the valve stem 2. The inner end of the member 1 can be thus madecapable ot expansion or contraction by forming slots 3 therein, thusdividing sa1d innerend into separate sections 4. rlhese sections 4 areformed with interior screw-threads 5 which correspond to thescrew-threads of the valve stem.

When the inner end of the member l is in its expanded condition, asshown in Fig.v l, the interior diameter of the inner screwthreaded endis such as to permit the dust cap to be slipped over the valve stem, andmeans are provided for contracting the screw-threaded end when the dustcap is in place, as shown in Fig. 2, thereby bringcan be readilywithdrawn from the` @Eli ing the screw-threads intoA firm engagestem.

In the construction herein shown the inner screw-threaded end of themember 1 which I will hereinafter refer to as the inner member iscontracted into the position shown in Fig. 2 by means of an outer shell6 which encircles the member 1, said outer member or shell being capableof having a movement longitudinally of the member l. This outer member 6is a cap-shaped cylindrical member which entirely encloses the innermember 1. The inner member 1 is formed adjacent its inner end andpreferably beyond\ the screw-threads 5 with a bead or enlarged portion 7and the outer member 6 is provided with asimilar shaped groove 8 adaptedto receive this bead 7. When the bead ocin its expanded condition. Ifthe member .6 is moved longitudinally of the ,member 1,

as shown in Fig. 2, so as to carry the groove 8 beyond the bead 7, thenthe bead will be forced into the body of the member 6, and the sections4 will thereby be contracted or forced inwardly, as shown in Fig. 2. Theconstruction of the parts is vsuch that when the arts are in therelative position shown in ig 2, the screw-threads will'rmly grip thescrew-threads of the valve stem and thus lock the dust cap to the valvestem.

The dust cap is applied to the valve stem when the parts are in therelative position shown in Fig. 1, and as stated above, when in thisrelative position, the dust cap c'an be slipped over the valve stembecause the in'- terior diameter of the member 1 is large enough topermit this. When the dust cap is fully inserted over the valve stem,then 'endwise pressure is applied lto the outer member 6 thereby movingthe latter into the position shown in Fig. 2, such mbvelnent contractingthe screw-threaded sections 4 and causin them to become interlocked withthe screw-t reads of the valve stem.

I have provided herein means for locking' the two parts in the relativeposition shown in Fig. 2 so as to prevent any relative movement of theparts into the unlocked position shown in Fig. 1. This locking of theinner and outer members in the rel'ative position shown in Fig. 2 may beaccomplished in various ways without departing from the invention. Onesimple way is to provide the outer end of the member 1 with slots 9 sothat said outer end can expand and contract, and making -said outer endwith a bead 10 adapted to fit into a groove 11 formed interiorly of themember 6. This bead 10 and groove 11 have such relative positions't-hatwhen the outer member 6 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 2,thereby to lock the inner member to the valve stem, the bead 10 iscarried into the groove 11 and the expanding action of the outer end ofthe member l will rictionally hold the bead in the groove and thus lockthe members 1 and 6 in the relative position shown in Fig. 2.

To remove the dust cap the operator grasps the member 6 'and pullsoutwardly thereon with suiicient force to contract the outer end of themember 1 and to draw the outer member 6 into the position shown inFig. 1. When in-this position the bead 1() is withdrawn from the groove11 and is situated in the body-of the member 6, and the bead 7 will becarried into the groove- 8.

As soon as the bead 7 comes into register with the oove 8, thescrew-threaded sections 4 will expand and thus release their engagementwith the screw-threaded valve stem. The dust cap is then free to bewithdrawn from the valve stem.

Most valve stems are flattened on opposite sides, as shown at 12, and Ipropose to make my dust cap withan openingof less diameter in onedirection than in the opposite direction thereby to it the non-circularshape'of the valve stem. I provide for this by forming the inner end ofthe member 1 with two oppositely-disposed relatively wide spaces 13between the sections 4, and by upsetting the portions 14 of the innerend of the member 6 which bridge these wide spaces 13. These upsetportions 14 thus occupy the wide spaces and are shaped to it 'a ainstthe flat sides 12 ,of the valve stem.

' e wide spaces 13 are of sufficient length to permit the upset portions14 of the outer `member to travel up and down therein when the members 1and 2 move relatively from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that' shownin Fig. 2.

The inner ends 15 of the screw-threaded sections 4 are bent outwardlyand are so shaped that when said sections are contracted, as shown inFig. 2, these outwardlybent ends 15 thereoffit within the inner end ofthe outer member 6. Both ends of each screw-threaded section 4 are thussubjected to inward pressure by the outer member 6, and thescrew-threads 5 will thus be positively locked to the valve stem.

My dust cap is so designed that it not only operates as a dust cap, butalso takes the place of the ordin'ary lock nut which is usuallyscrew-threaded to the valve stem.

Surrounding the inner end of the outer member 6 and slid-ably mountedthereon is a sleeve 16, said sleeve being secured to the inner member 1by means of projections 17 which operate in slots 18 formed in the outermember 6. These projections are formed as integral parts of the innermember 1 and are secured in the slots 18 by forming heads thereon. Thesleeve 16 is provided with an enlarged or iared inner end 19 which isconstructed to receive a gasket 20. 21 indimaracas rates an end memberwhich lits within the gasket. 20 and is provided with a Acentral opening22 of a size to receive the valve stem. The member 21 is provided with aflange 23 which `fits within the sleeve 16. rl`his member 21 bears aainst the inner ends of the screw-threads sections 4, and it, togetherwith the gasket 20, forms a seat adapted to have bearing against the rimof the wheel when the dust cap is applied.

In placing the dust cap on the valve stem, it will be inserted over thelatter until the end member 21 strikes against the wheel rim or againstthe check-nuton the valve stem if one is used. End pressure will then beapplied to the member 6 thereby to bring the parts into the relativeposition shown in Fig. 2, as above described, and when in this position,the dust cap is firmly locked to the valve stem. The construction of theinner end of the dust cap with its end member 21 and gasket 2O is suchthat it will perform the function of the check-nut in holding the valvestem in position it for any reason the check-nut is not used. In fact,it-

is an advantage not to use the check-nut because the elimination of it'facilitates the operation of removing the tire 'from the wheel. Where acheck-nut is employed, it is necessary not only to remove the dust cap,but also to unscrew the check-nut before the tire can be removed, but ifno check-nut is employed, then it is simply a matter of removing thedust cap, and with my improved dust cap, this operation takes but aninstant of time.

The sleeve 16 has the further advantage that it provides means by whichthe two members can be moved relative to each other when the dust cap isremoved from the valve stem, for by grasping the sleeve 16 in one handand the outer member 6 in the other, the inner and outer members can bemoved relatively into lthe ositions shown in either Figs. 1 or 2. 'Ierefore, it the valve cap should be accidentally dropped and in its fallshould become locked into the position shown in Fig. 2, it can bereadily unlocked by holding'the Sleeve 16 in one hand and pullingupwardly on the outer member 6 with the other.

While I have illustrated herein a selected embodiment of my invention, Ido not wish to be limited to the constructional features shown.

I claim: p l

1. In a dust cap, the combination with an inner cylindrical member whichis slit at its ends so as to be capable of expanding and beingcontracted, of an outer member slidably mounted on the inner member,said outer member being closed at one endend provided at said closed endwith an intei-nal groove, said inner member having aty v itscorresponding end beads formed on the the said opposite end to hold thedust cap in position when the groove and beads are interloclred,movement of the outer member to allow the contracted end to expand-beinglimited bycoacting portions on the outer and inner members. a

2. A dust cap for valve stems ofpneiimatic tires of that type having twoopposite attened sides said dust cap comprising an inner member havingits Ainner end interiorly screw-threaded and provided with two oppositeflat portions to fit the iat sides of the valve stem, whereby the dustcap is prevented from turning on the valve stem, said inner interiorlyscrew-threaded end being capable of ex ansion and contraction, an outermember s idably mounted on the inner member and by its sliding movementoperating to contract the inner end of the inner member,l and meansrendered operative by the longitudinal movement of the outer inem-ber toAlock the two members from relative movement.

35151 dust cap for valve stems of pneumatic tires having an innerinteriorly-screwthreaded end capable of expansion and contraction and inits expanded condition adapted to be placed over the ,valve stem by anendwise movement, means to contract said inner end when the dust cap isinplace, locking means at the outer end of the dust cap for locking saidinner-end-contracting means in operative position and means tb preventthe dust cap from turning on the valve stem.

4. A dust cap for valve stems of pneumatic tires of that type having twoopposite ilattened sides, said dust cap comprising an inner memberhaving its inner end interiorly screw-threaded and provided with twoopposite flat portions to tit the fiat sides of the valve stem, wherebythe dust cap is prevented from turning on the valve stem, said innerinteriorly screw-threaded end being capable of expansion andcontraction, an outer member slidably mounted on the inner member and byits sliding movement operating to contract the inner end of the innermember, and spring locking means to lock the members from relativemovement.

5. In a dust cap, the combination with an inner member having its innerend interiorly screw-threaded and capable of contractin and expanding,of an outer member sli ably mounted on the inner member and constructedso that movement of the outer member relative to the inner member willcontract the inner screw-threaded end of the inner member, said innerand outer members having co-operati'ng portions which frictionally lockthem in either 'ot two relative positions.

6. In a dust cap, the eombination with an inner member adapted to titover the valve stem ot' a tile and which is slit at its inner end and isprovided at said end with interior screw-threads to engage those ot thevalve stem, said slit portion having an exterior bead, ot' an outermember sliuabiy mounted on the inner member and having a groove toreceive said bead when said inner and outer members are in one relativeposition, inoveinent of the outer member relative to the inner niemherforcing the bead out of the groove and thus contracting thescrew-tlueaded portion 'ot' the inner member.

7. In a dust cap, the combination with an inner member adapted to fitover the valve stem of a tire and which is .slit al' its inner end andis providedl at. said end with interior screw-threads to enlgage thoseot the valve stem, said slit portion having an exterior bead, of anouter member slidably mounted on the inner member and having a groove toreceive said bead when said inner and outer members are in one relativeposition, movement of the outer member relative to the inner memberforcing the bead out ofthe groove and thus contracting thescrew-threaded portion ot' the inner member, and a frictional lockingmeans to hold said members in the last-named relative position.

8. In a. dust cap, the combination with an inner member having its innerend interiorly screw-threaded and capable of contracting and expanding,ot an outer member slidably mounted on the inner member and constructedso that movement of the ,outer member relative to the inner member willcontract the inner screw-threaded end of the inner member, said end ofthe inner and the outer members having complemental portions operatingto hold the members from relative movement with the inner memberexpanded.

9. In a dust cap, the combination with an inner member having its innerend interiorly screw-threaded and capable of contracting and expanding,and an outer member slidably mounted on the inner member and constructedso that movement of the outer member in one direction relative to theinner member will contract the inner screwthreaded end of the innermember, one of said members having a resilient portion at its outer endwhich co-operates with the other member to hold saidvmembers in theirrelative position with the screw-threaded end of the inner membercontracted.

10. In a dust cap, the combination with an inner member having its innerend interiorly screw-threaded and capable of contracting and expanding,of an end member secured to the inner member and adapted to rest againstthe rim of the wheel when the dust cap is applied to a valvestem, saidinner member having a gasket, anouter member slidably mounted on theinner member and adapted by its sliding movement'to contract thescrew-threaded end of the inner member and a resilient looking means forholding the two members from relative movement.

l1. A dust cap for valve stems of pneumatic tires of that type havingtwo opposite flattened sides, said dust cap comprising an inner memberhaving its inner end interorly screw-threaded and provided with twooposite flat portions to tit the flat sides ot' the vulve stem, saidinner interiorly srrew-tln'eaded end being capable ot expansion andcontraction, an outer member slidably mounted on the inner member and byits sliding movement in one direction operation to contractthe inner endot' the inner member, said members having complemental portions whichbecome operative by such sliding movement of the outer member to holdthe two members from relative movement and said flattened sidespreventing the dust cap from turning on the valve stem.

12. A dust cap for valve stems ot pneumatic tires of that type havingtwo opposite flattened sides, said dust cap comprising an inner member`having its inner end interiorly screw-threaded and provided with tivoopposite flat portions to lit thetlat sides ot the valve stem, wherebythe dust cap is prevented from turning on the valve stem, said innerinteriorly screw-threaded end being capable of expansion andcontraction, an outer member slidably mounted on the inner member and byits sliding movement in one direction operating to contract the innerend of the inner member and by its sliding movement in t-he oppositedirection. to permit said inner end to expand, said members havingcomplemental portions which become operative by the sliding movement ofthe outer member to lock the outer member in either of said twopositions.l

13. In a dust cap, the combination with an inner member having its innerend interiorly screw-threaded and capable ot contracting and expanding,of an outer member mounted on the inner member, said members beingcapa-ble of relative movement in the direction of their length, relativemovement in one direction operating to contract the inner screw-threadedend ot the inner member and relative movement in the opposite directionpermitting said screwthreaded end to expand, said members havingcomplemental portions which become operative by such relative movementto hold the members in either of two positions.

ti U

lll() 14. In a dust cap, the combination with an inner member having itsinner end interiorly screw-threaded and capable of contracting andexpanding, of an outer member mounted on the inner member, said membersbeing capable of relative movement in the direction of their length,relative movement in one direction operating to contract the innerscrew-threaded end of the inner mem- 10 ber and relative movement in theopposite direction permitting said screw-threaded end to expand, saidmembers having complemental portions which become operative by suchrelative movement to hold Said members from relative movement when inarelative position, in which the inner member is expanded.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this s eciication.

DWARD H. PARKER.

